Uprooted Palestinians are at the heart of the conflict in the M.E Palestinians uprooted by force of arms. Yet faced immense difficulties have survived, kept alive their history and culture, passed keys of family homes in occupied Palestine from one generation to the next.

Saturday, 6 August 2016

Rep. Hank Johnson of Georgia has repeatedly apologized for his remarks on Israeli settlements, remarks in which he likened settlements popping up all over the West Bank to a termite infestation.

Yet even so, the Zionists are still piling on him.

“The ripple effect continues for U.S. Rep. Hank Johnson a week after the Lithonia Democrat was quoted comparing Jewish settlement policy in the disputed West Bank to termites,’” reports the Atlanta Journal Constitution in an article published August 3.

This of course is what passes for US mainstream media coverage of the Palestine-Israel conflict. Tamar Hallerman, the author of the piece, demonstrates what would seem to be a rather pronounced lack of journalistic integrity in her reference to the West Bank as “disputed,” rather than occupied. The word “disputed” has for years been a hasbara talking point. The West Bank is viewed by virtually the entire world as rightfully belonging to the Palestinians and regarded as a vital ingredient to implementation of the so-called two-state solution.

And as such, the settlements are regarded as illegal under international law–something which Hallerman also fails to mention in her report. Virtually no one, other than Zionists and media functionaries like Hallerman, refer to the West Bank as “disputed.” The proper term is “occupied.”

At any rate, the main focus of her article is an editorial “blasting” Johnson which appeared at the Atlanta Jewish Times on Monday and which is quoted extensively.

“The editorial argues that if Johnson wants to receive votes from the pro-Israel community in the future, he’ll need to answer questions about what he was doing speaking at an event sponsored by a pro-Israeli-boycott group in the first place,” Hallerman reports.

“Meanwhile, Johnson’s apology tour continues. He met with the Atlanta chapter of the advocacy group the American Jewish Committee on Tuesday,” she adds.

Don’t you just love the term “apology tour”? It kind of falls into the same category as Philip Weiss’ comment about Jews dominating the American media–“and so what if we do?” It is of course imperative for Jews to try and downplay their political power, yet as we see every so often one or another will succumb to the temptation to boast about it.

So yes, Johnson is on a “tour” visiting various Jews and Jewish organizations, apologizing for his remarks. Here he is in an August 2 meeting with members of the American Jewish Committee, whose website urges visitors to “stop BDS in its tracks” by signing onto a form letter to Congress members:

The letter, by the way, describes BDS as a “virulent movement,” and following his meeting with the group, Johnson tweeted amicably, “Appreciate meeting w/ @AJCGlobal today to open important dialogue — especially w/ #ATL director @DovWilker. Thanks!”

Johnson’s initial remarks about termites were made at an event in Philadelphia on July 25. If you have not read my article, Termites and Israeli Settlers: A US Congressman’s Analogy, you might consider doing so. As I noted, the congressman’s critics seem to have little to say about racist rabbis in Israel who have articulated things far worse and who have even called for the murder of Palestinians.

The editorial at the Atlanta Jewish Times, cited by Hallerman, makes mention of the fact that Johnson holds the same congressional seat once held by Cynthia McKinney, and while the opinion piece seems to give him credit for being less of an “anti-Semite” than his predecessor, it doesn’t seem to cut him much else in the way of slack.

Unlike McKinney, the woman he defeated 10 years ago to win his seat in Congress, Johnson doesn’t hate Jews, many of whom have been crucial supporters, and he doesn’t spout conspiracy theories accusing Jews or Israelis of carrying out false-flag terrorist attacks.

But his attitude toward Israel and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict has changed in recent years, and he spoke July 25 as someone who has earned a reputation as a leading congressional critic of Israel.

That day he criticized Israel and the government of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu while lamenting the condition of the Palestinians. He portrayed Israelis as the villains and Palestinians as the victims, ignoring Palestinian terrorism against Israeli civilians, incitement by Palestinian leaders and rocket fire from Gaza.

The editorial doesn’t divulge that Jewish donors hostile to McKinney funded Johnson’s campaign in a deliberate effort to unseat her. This, however, is indeed what took place. So of course the “many Jews” the editorial does allude to, i.e. those who have been Johnson’s “crucial supporters” in the past, obviously have plenty of reason to be irked!

Israeli Apartheid Explained with Humor

“He (Rep. Hank Johnson) portrayed Israelis as the villains and Palestinians as the victims, ignoring Palestinian terrorism against Israeli civilians, incitement by Palestinian leaders and rocket fire from Gaza.”

–Atlanta Jewish Times

Moreover, the specter of McKinney apparently looms rather sinisterly in the anonymous editorial writer’s imagination. “Short of going full Cynthia McKinney, Congressman Hank Johnson couldn’t have done much more to anger the Jewish community than unleash a comparison between termites and Israelis living on the West Bank,” the person writes in what is essentially an unintended tribute to the former Georgia congresswoman.

Thankfully Johnson doesn’t “spout conspiracy theories accusing Jews or Israelis of carrying out false-flag terrorist attacks.” That would certainly be to his detriment and lead to an extended, much-prolonged apology tour–and of course as we all know, Jews don’t celebrate in parking lots while “documenting the event,” take out insurance policies on asbestos-filled buildings, or get themselves appointed to oversee commissions investigating what happened on a day that “changed the world” and that led to a series of wars against Israel’s enemies and a flood of refugees pouring into Europe. Jews don’t do any of these things! So repeat after me: It’s all just a coincidence…just a coincidence…just a coincidence…

The editorial also invokes the Nazis (you wouldn’t expect otherwise), calls Johnson’s termite comment “a particularly vile association,” and quotes one of his more contrite apologies:

“The language I used was not only unacceptable but it was hurtful,” he wrote in a message to constituents. “I deeply regret using this terrible metaphor. It was not only nonconstructive, it was wrong.”

I’m just guessing here, but I suspect a lot of people in Johnson’s congressional district are supporters of the Black Lives Matters movement, and of course a good many activists in that movement have openly expressed solidarity with Palestinians. Could that have anything to do with why Johnson accepted the invitation to speak at the event in Philadelphia?

A number of Johnson’s critics have attacked him not only for his comments about termites, but also for speaking at what they view as an anti-Semitic event. The event at which he spoke was not anti-Semitic, but it has been portrayed as such. “Progressive for Palestine: Is the US Ready to Rethink Policy on Israel?”–this was the title of the program. It was sponsored jointly by the American Friends Service Committee and the US Campaign to End the Israeli Occupation. The latter group should change its name to the “US Campaign to End the Israeli Disputation” or else prepare to go on being accused of anti-Semitism. At any rate, the main point I’m making is that not only were Johnson’s words criticized, but the program itself.

“Why was Johnson speaking to such an anti-Israel gathering at all?” asks the Atlanta Jewish Times editorial, in what is perhaps typical of some of the jabs. “That’s the question he must answer if wants to receive any more votes from the pro-Israel community.”

“Any more votes” from a group that makes up roughly two percent of the population is of course of scant consideration. The real question is whether Johnson will undergo savage media attacks in conjunction with buckets of money funneled to the campaign of some possible future opponent. Clearly the congressman has been warned.

UPDATE:

For those who think it worth the effort, an online petition has been started to urge Johnson to “please keep speaking out about West Bank settlements.”

The Jewish Community Relations Council issued a scathing statement on Black Lives Matter’s platform that called Israel an apartheid state.

The activists at Black Lives Matter seem to indiscriminately care for the oppressed despite the fact that Zio-light oligarchs like George Soros fund their campaign.

“We are deeply dismayed by elements of this platform, specifically the co-opting and the manipulation of a movement addressing concerns about racial disparities in criminal justice in the United States in order to advance a biased and false narrative about the Israeli/Palestinian conflict,” reads a statement from the Jewish organization.

The Jewish group also dismissed the idea that the suffering of Black people in the U.S. and the suffering of the Palestinians are in anyway similar. “To conflate the experiences of African-Americans and Palestinians oversimplifies complex matters and advances false equivalencies that diminish the unique nature of each.”

Conflating varied experiences and examining the results does lead to a devastating conclusion: it isn’t just Blacks or Palestinians, by now we are all Palestinians oppressed by a new world disorder directed by the Goldmans, the Sackses and a few Soroses…

The Jewish Council has good reason to be troubled by the emerging universal bond among the oppressed: looking into global oppression reveals a continuum that stretches from Palestine to Syria to Greece to Monroe. It doesn’t take much to identify the Lobby and oligarchy that sustain the state of chaos in the world.

The Jewish group announced that it will “dissociate” itself from Black Lives Matter. Perhaps Black Lives Matter can use this momentary liberation to dig into the history of slavery to examine the prominent role of Jewish merchants in the darkest chapter in human history.

When the battle for Aleppo began, we witnessed yet again the cranking up of the propaganda machine to distort and bend the truth into palatable soundbites for the misinformed and deceived public. Barrel bombs, chemical weapons, even “incubator babies”, once more infiltrated the talking head speak as they scrambled to turn the tide of popular opinion now clearly pushing back against the attempts to discredit the Syrian government and Syrian National Army [SAA] fighting to cleanse their country of NATO and GCC toxic armies of terror.

21st Century Wire has worked hard to expose the primary propaganda merchants, the White Helmets, embedded as the Al Nusra [Al Qaeda in Syria] first responders. White Helmets exist only in terrorist held areas to the east of Aleppo [and elsewhere in terrorist strongholds across Syria] and along the supply routes that feed the terror entities with equipment, arms, drugs and chemical weapon ingredients from Turkey.

For further information please read 21st Century Wire’s compilation of all research and analysis on this group of NATO humanitarian fifth columnists giving triage to Al Qaeda as they commit mass murder in Syria ~ Who Are the White Helmets?

The following article from Ikhrasclearly highlights the ten most important facts about the battle for Aleppo. Worth reading to counter the BBC/CNN upside-down narratives:

“Building on an over five-year, almost entirely fictional narrative about a popular uprising in Syria, recent developments on the ground in Aleppo have triggered a new propaganda blitz complete with a new set of provable lies. The following are ten facts about Aleppo that must be accepted by any objective, informed and rational observer regardless of one’s political views and opinions regarding Syria.

1) Eastern Aleppo was overrun by a foreign-backed, Al-Qaeda-led terrorist alliance in 2012. At that time, approximately 600,000 Aleppans fled eastern Aleppo for the security and safety of western Aleppo where the Syrian government maintained control.

2) Estimates of how many civilians remained in eastern Aleppo vary widely, but official estimates place the number between 100 and 150 thousand. UN estimates of up to 300,000 are almost certainly inflated and politically motivated.

3) Eighty to eighty-five percent of the armed fighters in eastern Aleppo belong to the Jabhat Al-Nusra, the official Al-Qaeda affiliate in Syria that just underwent a rebranding, complete with a new name and logo (see image above, top row, second from the left). The remaining fighters belong to twenty-two (there are constant splits, mergers, and rebranding among them) terrorist groups that all share the same jihadi ideology, methods, and objectives as Al-Qaeda.

4) The overwhelming majority of Syrian fighters in eastern Aleppo are not from Aleppo itself, belying the notion that any part of the city rose up against the government.

5) The terrorist groups in Aleppo include a large number of foreign fighters from eighty-one different countries with significant contingents from Turkey, the Gulf Arab states, North Africa, and Russia’s Chechnya and North Caucasus region.

6) Armed groups in eastern Aleppo have been deliberately shelling civilians in western Aleppo. This has led to angry protests against the Syrian government demanding an end to the shelling and the complete extirpation of the terrorist presence in eastern Aleppo.

8) The Syrian government has offered all Syrian fighters in eastern Aleppo amnesty in exchange for laying down their weapons and surrendering to the Syrian authorities.

9) The Syrian military has also established three humanitarian corridors for civilians to exit eastern Aleppo. The Syrian government had prepared 10,000 habitable apartment units in western Aleppo for civilians fleeing in anticipation of a possible final battle. As dozens of families started to exit armed groups immediately began preventing civilians from leaving, prompting speculation they intend to use them as human shields when and if the Syrian Army begins its final entry into the eastern part of the city.

10) After completing the encirclement of eastern Aleppo the Syrian government, in a joint mission with the Russian Air Force based at Hemeimeem Air Base, began a massive humanitarian airlift into eastern Aleppo. The tragic shoot down of the Russian helicopter this week took place as it was returning from a humanitarian aid delivery.”

Saudi Arabia has launched a forced evacuation of locals in its Jizan region, as Yemeni forces advance deeper into the Saudi territory in response to Riyadh’s war on their country.

Yemen’s Khabar news agency website reported the development on Friday with pictures of departing locals as well as a video showing Saudi military personnel arguing with locals who resisted the order to leave their homes.

The report said villages and towns affected by the order are closest to the common border with Yemen.

The Saudi military has threatened to strip locals of their citizenship and invalidate their identification and travel documents if they refuse to leave. Saudi forces have also deployed to residential areas in the region in anticipation of a major escalation.

Some activists say the Saudi regime has already cut the locals’ access to food resources and water reservoirs and limited their freedom of movement.

Yemen’s army and Houthi Ansarullah fighters have been retaliating for Saudi attacks on their country.

About 10,000 people have been killed since March 2015, when the Saudi war was launched in an attempt to restore former president Abd Rabbuh Mansour Hadi to power. Yemenis say most of the victims in the Saudi airstrikes are civilians.

On Thursday, UN Special Envoy to Yemen Ismail Ould Cheikh said he planned to suspend peace talks between the Houthis and representatives of the Saudi-backed former Yemeni government after the effort faced new hiccups.

The talks have been underway in Kuwait since April 21, without a major breakthrough amid sharp differences between the two sides.

Syrian army and its allies dealt several blows to Takfiri insurgents in Aleppo, as the terrorists trade accusations and blame each others for huge losses inflicted upon them in the battleground.

Lebanese resistance Military Media said that the Syrian army, bolstered by Hezbollah fighters and Russian air force carried out a qualitative operations against Takfiri terrorists in southern and western fronts of Aleppo.

Syrian and Russian air forces struck a gathering of Jaish al-Fath terrorists in Rahbat Khan Touman in Aleppo’s southern countryside, killing and injuring dozens of Takfiris, according to Military Media which put the initial toll of this strike at 40 killed.

“Jaish al-Fath” along with 21 other Takfiri factions have been trying hard to break the siege imposed by the Syrian army on the insurgents. On Thursday, they launched the fourth stage of military operation aimed at breaking this siege.

“The goal of these terrorist groups is now to regain control of few posts in Aleppo, in a clear signal that they have retreated following the huge losses inflicted upon them,” Military Media reported.

Meanwhile, terrorist factions have been trading accusations with several figures close to terrorists are blaming each others for the huge losses.

Pro-Nusra Front Saudi cleric Abdullah al-Muhaysini lashed out at “Jund al-Aqsa” terrorist organization for not taking part in Aleppo battles.

On the other hand, other pro-Takfiri activists on social media questioned the reason behind participation of Chinese militants within the ranks of Turkistan party. They said that such move was aimed at pushing the Chinese militants into ” crematory” in order to get rid of them, Military Media sources reported.

A civilian was forced to self-demolish his house in al-Thawri neighbourhood and another was also forced to close his café in al-Sheikh Jarrah neighbourhood.

A 600-square-meter car shop and 3 barracks were destroyed in al-Nabi Simo’eel village.

The civil administration crews accompanied with the Israeli forces destroyed a residential caravan in al-Dam Valley in Beit Hanina neighbourhood.

Israeli forces continued their efforts to create Jewish majority in occupied East Jerusalem.

A civilian was forced to self-demolish a residential room.

11 residential buildings were levelled in Qalednia village adjacent to the annexation wall.

A house in Silwan and another one and a commercial facility in al-‘Issawiyah were demolished.

Israeli forces continued to target Palestinian fishermen in the Sea

3 shooting incidents were carried out against Palestinian fishing boats in the central, northern and southern Gaza Strip.

Israeli forces turned the West Bank into cantons and continued to impose the illegal closure on the Gaza Strip for the 9th

Dozens of temporary checkpoints were established in the West Bank and others were re-established to obstruct the movement of Palestinian civilians.

5 Palestinian Civilians, including a child, were arrested at the internal military checkpoints.

Israeli forces prevent footballers from the Gaza Strip to cross Beit Hanoun crossing in the northern Gaza Strip and blackmailed some of them.

Summary

Israeli violations of international law and international humanitarian law in the oPt continued during the reporting period (28 July – 03 August 2016).

Shooting:

Israeli forces have continued to commit crimes, inflicting civilian casualties. They have also continued to use excessive force against Palestinian civilians participating in peaceful protests in the West Bank and Gaza Strip, the majority of whom were youngsters. During the reporting period, Israeli forces killed a Palestinian civilian and wounded 13 others, including 3 children and a young woman. Nine of them were wounded in the West Bank while the 2 others, including a young woman, were wounded in the Gaza Strip. In the Gaza Strip, Israeli forces continue to target Palestinian fishermen and chase them in the Sea.

In the West Bank, in excessive use of force on 31 July 2016, Israeli forces stationed at Howarah checkpoint, south of Nablus, shot dead Rami ‘Awertani (31) from the same city when he stepped out of his car at an observation point in the track allocated for the cars coming out of the city. The Israeli forces claimed that ‘Awertani attempted to stab a soldier and his corpse was detained and taken to an unknown destination. It should be mentioned that ‘Awertani owns a barber shop on Annajah National University Street and a father of 3 children.

On 30 July 2016, 7 civilians, including 2 children, were wounded when Israeli forces moved into Jenin and its refugee camp to carry out an arrest campaign. Meanwhile, a number of Palestinian civilians gathered where the Israeli vehicles were stationed to throw stones at them. The Israeli soldiers in response fired live bullets, sound bombs and gas canisters at the stone-throwers. As a result, 7 civilians were wounded with live bullets to the lower limbs and then taken to Dr Khalil Soliman Governmental Hospital in the city for medical treatment.

On 02 August 2016, two civilians, including a child, were hit with rubber-coated metal bullets to the limbs. This happed after Israeli soldiers protecting settlers, who raided Joseph Tomb, east of Nablus, fired live and rubber-coated bullets and gas canisters at civilians who threw stones at the settlers.

On 03 August 2016, two civilians were wounded to the limbs when Israeli forces moved into al-Far’ah refugee camp, southeast of Toubas. They patrolled the camp streets, and a number of Palestinian youngsters and children then gathered to throw stones and empty bottles at the Israeli vehicles. The Israeli soldiers fired for around two hours live and rubber-coated bullets at the stone-throwers, wounding two of them.

In the Gaza Strip, on 29 July 2016, Samah al-Na’ami (38) was sustained a superficial bullet wound to her left shoulder while Mohammed al-‘Issawi (22) was hit with a bullet to the left foot. This happened when Israeli soldiers opened fire at dozens of Palestinian children and young men who headed to the border fence between the Gaza Strip and Israel, east of al-Bureij in the central Gaza Strip in order to throw stones at the Israeli soldiers. The aforementioned young woman was wounded when she was on her way to a field belonging to her husband near the border fence.

In the context of targeting Palestinian fishermen in the Sea, on 01 August 2016, Israeli gunboats stationed off Khan Younis shore in the southern Gaza Strip heavily opened fire in the vicinity of Palestinian fishing boats sailing within the allowed area for fishing. As a result, the fishermen fled away for fear of being killed or wounded. However, no casualties were reported. On 03 August 2016, the same incident recurred in the northern and central Gaza Strip, damaging a fishing boat and losing fishing net.

Incursions:

During the reporting period, Israeli forces conducted at least 78 military incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank, 6 ones in occupied East Jerusalem and its suburbs and limited one in Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip. During these incursions, Israeli forces arrested at least 81 Palestinian civilians, including 7 children. Nineteen of them, including 3 children and 3 women, were arrested in occupied Jerusalem.

Creating Jewish Majority in Occupied East Jerusalem:

On 29 July 2016, ‘Izzat Kiswani closed down his coffee shop with steel plates in Sheikh Jarrah neighbourhood in Jerusalem to avoid closing it by the municipality that would also confiscate the contents. Kiswani explained that the court ordered him to close the coffee shop and gave him until the beginning of August to implement the order or its crews will close it and confiscate its contents. It should be mentioned the 180-square-meter coffee shop was built many years ago, and three families lived off the coffee shop.

On 31 July 2016, Walid Shweiki self-demolished his house in Al-Thawri neighbourhood, south of East Jerusalem’s Old City, in execution of the municipality’s order and to avoid paying a 50-thousand NIS fine in addition to demolition costs. He added that he built his house in 2014 and moved in with his 3-member family. The municipality crews previously raided the house several times under the pretext of building without a permit until a demolition order was issued by the court. It should be mentioned that the house was built from “reinforced sheets” and comprised of two rooms and their facilities.

On 02 August 2016, Israeli municipality bulldozers demolished a 600-square-meter car shop belonging to Mohammed ‘Elian under the pretext of building on a land confiscated for the interest of “Israeli Lands Administration (ILA)”.

On 03 August 2016, Israeli bulldozers demolished 3 barracks belonging to ‘Eid Mohammed ‘Eid Barakat in al-Nabi Samo’eel village, northwest of East Jerusalem. One of these barracks was used as a women’s organization.

On the same day, The Civil Administration crews along with Israeli forces demolished a residential caravan in Wad al-Dam area Beit Hanina neighbourhood, north of Jerusalem owned by Izz Eddin Abu Nijmeh under the pretext of building without a permit.

Restrictions on movement:

Israel continued to impose a tight closure of the oPt, imposing severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, including occupied East Jerusalem.

The illegal closure of the Gaza Strip, which has been steadily tightened since June 2007 has had a disastrous impact on the humanitarian and economic situation in the Gaza Strip. The Israeli authorities impose measures to undermine the freedom of trade, including the basic needs for the Gaza Strip population and the agricultural and industrial products to be exported. For 9 consecutive years, Israel has tightened the land and naval closure to isolate the Gaza Strip from the West Bank, including occupied Jerusalem, and other countries around the world. This resulted in grave violations of the economic, social and cultural rights and a deterioration of living conditions for 1.8 million people. The Israeli authorities have established Karm Abu Salem (KeremShaloum) as the sole crossing for imports and exports in order to exercise its control over the Gaza Strip’s economy. They also aim at imposing a complete ban on the Gaza Strip’s exports. The Israeli closure raised the rate of poverty to 38.8%, 21.1% of which suffer from extreme poverty. Moreover, the rate of unemployment increased up to 44%, which reflects the unprecedented economic deterioration in the Gaza Strip.

Details

Incursions into Palestinian Areas, and Attacks on Palestinian Civilians and Property in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip

Thursday, 28 July 2016

At approximately 01:30, Israeli forces moved into Nablus. They raided and searched houses. At approximately 06:00, Israeli forces arrested 7 civilians, who are students at al-Najah National University, and took them to an unknown destination. The arrested persons were identified as ‘Abed al-Rahman Taha al-Bishtawi (24), Mujahid Ali ‘Ashour (22), Mohamed Ameen al-Halbouny (23), Baraa Ghasan Doqan (22), Fawzi Mohamed Fawzi Bashkar (27), Abed al-Rahman Yousef al-Wadi (23), and Ihab ‘Ashour (24).

At approximately 03:00, Israeli forces moved into al-Dahisha refugee camp, south of Bethlehem. They raided and searched houses from which they arrested Raghd Raied Shmroukh (20), Hamdi Ma’rouf al-Atrash (25), Karm Abed Rabo (24), and Bilal al-Mi’awi (26).

At approximately 16:00, Israeli forces accompanied with military vehicles moved into Dura village, southwest of Hebron and stationed in Khilat Sirtah area, where there was a memorial service for Mohamed al-Faqeh. Mohamed was killed on Wednesday, 27 July 2016, in Sureef village by Israeli forces. An Israeli vehicle stopped on the main street between Kharsa village and the western side of the city. At approximately 17:30, Israeli forces withdrew and no further incidents were reported.

Note: During the aforementioned day, Israeli forces conducted (5) incursions in the following areas and no arrests were reported: Yatta, Beit Marsam, al-Shayoukh, and Samou’a villages in Hebron.

Friday, 29 July 2016

At approximately 02:30, Israeli forces moved into Zawata village, west of Nablus. They raided and searched houses from which they arrested Ibrahim Fawzi Yousef Abu al-Rish (30).

At approximately 03:00, Israeli forces moved into northern ‘Asirah village, north of Nablus. They raided and searched houses from which they arrested So’oud Mahmoud Ghanam (30).

Note: During the aforementioned day, Israeli forces conducted (4) incursions in the following areas and no arrests were reported: Bani Na’im, Tafouh, Sa’ir and al-Shayoukh villages in

Saturday, 30 July 2016

At approximately 02:00, Israeli forces moved into Beit ‘Ynoun area, east of Hebron. They raided and searched a house belonging to Fahmi Nidal al-Faroukh (23), a security service officer, and arrested him.

At approximately 07:30, Israeli forces accompanied with military vehicles moved into Jenin and Jenin refugee camp. They raided and searched a house belonging to ‘Abed al-Rahman Fadil ‘Abed al-Rahman Qasem (29) and arrested him. After that, they raided and searched a house belonging to Abdullah Ahmed Diab al-Husari (17) and arrested him as well. Israeli vehicles re-stationed in al-Marah neighborhood, where Israeli soldiers raided and searched a house belonging to Kifah Nazmi ‘Alawnah. In the meantime, they also raided and searched a house belonging to Thaeir Jihad Ahmed Hathnawi (33) and arrested him. In the meanwhile, a number of Palestinian civilians gathered and threw stones at Israeli soldiers, who fired live bullets, tear gas canisters and sound bombs at the stone-throwers. As a result, 7 civilians, including 2 children, were hit with live bullets to the lower limbs. They were then taken by a PRCS ambulance to Khalil Suliman Hospital to receive medical treatment. PCHR keeps the names of the wounded persons.

At approximately 18:00, Israeli forces moved into Beit Sahour. They raided and searched two houses belonging to Shadi Jalal Othman (33) and Suhaib Ibraahim al-Shikh (24). They handed both of them summonses to refer to the Israeli Intelligence Service in “Gush Etzion” settlement, south of Bethlehem.

Note: During the aforementioned day, Israeli forces conducted (7) incursions in the following areas and no arrests were reported: Dura, al-Suraa, and al-Shayoukh al-‘Aroub villages and al-Fawar refugee camp in Hebron; and Burqeen and Kaful Hares villages, north of Salfit.

Sunday, 31 July 2016

At approximately 02:30, Israeli forces moved into Silwad village, northeast of Ramallah. They raided and searched two houses belonging to Bahaa Abed al-Hamid Hamed and Abed al-Raheem Hammad. They handed Bahaa’ a summons to refer to the Israeli Intelligence Service, while they handed Abed al-Raheem’s family a similar summons because he was not home. In the meantime, dozens of Palestinian young men gathered and threw stones at the Israeli soldiers, who fired live bullets and tear gas canisters at them. As a result, many civilians suffered tear gas inhalation.

In an excessive use of force, at approximately 14:45, Israeli forces stationed at Hawarah checkpoint, south of Nablus, killed Rami Mohamed Za’im Ali ‘Awertani (31), from the same city. The Israeli soldiers immediately shot dead the abovementioned civilian while stepping out of his private car at the checkpoint. under the pretext of attempting to stab an Israeli soldier. They detained his corpse and took it to an unknown destination. It should be noted that the victim owns a barber shop on Annajah National Univserity Street and father of 3 children.

An eyewitness said to a PCHR fieldworker that:

“At approximately 14:45, on Sunday, 31 July 2016, while I was crossing Howarah checkpoint, south of Nablus, in my private car, I saw an Israeli soldier running towards me. While the soldier was running, he bog down and fell into the ground. His weapon dropped on the other side. In the meantime, I saw another Israeli soldier, who was in the checkpoint cabin, shooting a person standing in front of the cabin. As a result, the person fell on his face on the ground. The wounded person had previously stepped out of his old grey Skoda car and the driver’s car door was open, indicating he was ordered by the soldiers to step out. I saw nothing in the wounded person’s hands, and none of the soldiers was around him. After that, I slowly walked as the soldiers freaked out following the shooting. The distance between me and the wounded person was only 3 meters. I saw him moving. He was bold and waring a colourful shirt. After knowing he is alive, I called a PRCS ambulance. Few minutes later, an Israeli military jeep arrived and 4 Israeli soldiers stepped out of which. They closed the checkpoint and I then crossed the checkpoint, heading to the city.”

Note: During the aforementioned day, Israeli forces conducted (5) incursions in the following areas and no arrests were reported: ‘Azoun, east of Qalqilya; Bani Na’im village, Dura, Halhoul and al-Mowareq villages in Hebron.

Monday, 01 August 2016

At approximately 00:10, Israeli forces accompanied with military vehicles moved into Qalqilyia. Israeli vehicles patrolled the streets amidst firing rubber-coated metal bullets and sound bombs. Israeli soldiers then raided and searched houses. They also raided and searched 2 turneries belonging to Haitham Khalid Ramadan Hawtari and closed them. At approximately 05:30, they withdrew, and no arrests were reported.

Around the same time, Israeli forces accompanied with 40 military jeeps and 5 armored personnel carriers moved into Dura village, southwest of Hebron. Israeli military vehicles stationed in several areas identified as Ghunaim, Naqet Nouh, al-Shurfa, al-Namous, and Kanar villages in the center of Hebron. The Israeli soldiers then stepped out of the vehicles, patrolled the streets and searched around houses. They also raided and searched houses belonging to al-Faqeeh family and other families after locking all the family members in one room. Two hours later, Israeli forces arrested 11 civilians and released all of them on the same day. PCHR keeps the names of the arrested persons.

Dura village has witnessed repeated incursions since 02 July 2016, after the killing of an Israeli settler near “Otniel” settlement, south of Hebron. Due to this, Israeli forces arrested Mohamed ‘Amairah (34) and accused him of carrying out the attack, in cooperation with Mohamed Jibarah al-Faqeeh (29), who was killed on 28 July 2016, in Soreef village by Israeli forces.

Around the same time, Israeli forces accompanied with 5 military vehicles moved into Kharsa village, south of Dura, southwest of Hebron. Israeli vehicles patrolled the streets and then stationed near Bilal Mosque. They deployed between the houses, causing fear among civilians especially children. They then raided and searched houses from which they arrested 4 civilians, who were identified as Mofeed Mousa Abdul Majeed Shadidi (33), Anas Ibrahim Suliman Talahmah (31), Hitham Isma’il Isma’il al-Talahmah, and Khalid Ali Suliman Itbaish (28). They handed Khalid’s brother, Ayman (39), a summons to refer to the Israeli Intelligence Service in “Gush Etrzion” settlement, south of Bethlehem.

At approximately 01:30, Israeli forces accompanied with military vehicles moved into Soreef village, west of Hebron. Israeli vehicles patrolled the village streets and then stationed in al-Jarour area. Israeli soldiers deployed between the houses, causing fear among the residents and children. They also raided and searched a house belonging to Mohamed Ibrahim Abed al-Hadi al-Hor (25). After that, they surrounded and opened fire at a house belonging to Ahmed Hussain Abu Farah. The Israeli soldiers asked Ahmed to surrender, so he got out of his house and surrendered. The Israeli soldiers later arrested the two above mentioned civilians and withdrew taking them to an unknown destination.

At approximately 02:00, Israeli forces accompanied with officers from the General Security Service “Shabak” moved into Taqou’ village, south of Bethlehem. They raided and searched houses from which they arrested Yazan Mohamed al-Ji’adi (20), ‘Atyia al-Hasanat (20), Abdullah Yousef al-Badan (17), and Mostafa Talib Ibrahim (18).

Around the same time, Israeli forces accompanied with military vehicles moved into Sa’ir village, north of Hebron. Israeli vehicles patrolled the village streets and then stationed in al-‘Aaroud area. The Israeli soldiers deployed between houses, causing fear among residents and children. They then raided and searched two houses belonging to ‘Azam Izaat Sha’ban Shalaldah (59) and Diab Isaa Tarwah (29) and later withdrew. No arrests were reported. Furthermore, Israeli forces raided and searched a house belonging to Diyaa Isaa Mousa Tarwah (29) and arrested him. At approximately 04:00, the Israeli forces withdrew taking him to an unknown destination.

At approximately 02:30, Israeli forces accompanied with military vehicles moved into Qablan, southeast of Nablus. Israeli vehicles patrolled the village streets and then raided and searched houses. At approximately 04:00, they arrested Remah ‘Omran ‘Aqra’ (27) and took him to an unknown destination.

Around the same time, Israeli forces accompanied with military vehicles moved into Rujeeb village, southeast of Nablus. They raided and searched houses and arrested Ali Hani Rwadjbah (25).

At approximately 03:00, Israeli forces accompanied with military vehicles moved into Madama village, southeast of Nablus. The Israeli vehicles patrolled the village streets and then raided 3 houses belonging to Jebril Ziyadah “Abu Ramzy”. They questioned his two sons Ramzy and Akram and Nizar Ziyadah along with all the family members. They also questioned Fawzi Ziyadah and handed his son, Anas, a summons to refer to the Israeli Intelligence Service. At approximately 04:30, they withdrew and no arrests were reported.

At approximately 04:30, an Israeli infantry unit accompanied with sniffer dogs moved into East Barta’a villages, west of Jenin. They raided and searched a house belonging to Sufian Abdul Latif Mahmoud Mar’I (32) and arrested him. After that, they raided and searched a house belonging to Kamal Abdul Qadir Hussain Qabha “al-Wahsh” (39) and arrested him. In the meantime, another Israeli force accompanied with military vehicles moved into the village, patrolled the area and later withdrew.

At approximately 05:30, Israeli forces accompanied with military vehicles moved into Nablus and stationed on al-Ta’awon Street, south of the city. They raided and searched a house belonging to Mahyoub Haroun Qanazi’ (30), a Preventive Secuirty officer, and arrested him.

At approximately 07:30, Israeli gunboats stationed off Khan Yunis shore, south of the Gaza Strip, heavily opened fire at Palestinian fishing boats sailing within the allowed fishing area. As a result, the fishermen were forced to flee for fear of being arrested or wounded. No casualties were reported.

At approximately 08:30, Mekorot – Israel National Water Company, along with Israeli forces and 2 bulldozers, leveled a 150-meter fence of a 45- dunum farm belonging to Ahmed Hasan Ahmed al-‘Absi, in al-Aghwar area. Ahmed losses were estimated at around 35,000 to 40,000 NIS. Mekorot Company justified that this happened to check the pipes supplying “Hamrah” settlement with water near the farm fence.

At approximately 18:00, Israeli forces accompanied with military vehicles moved into al-‘Arqah village, west of Jenin. Israeli vehicles patrolled the village streets. After that, they raided and searched a house belonging to ‘Izz al-Deen Jamil Mohamed Saleh (27) and arrested him.

Note: During the aforementioned day, Israeli forces conducted (4) incursions in the following areas and no arrests were reported: Beit Kahel, Ethna, and Yatta villages; and al-‘Aroub refugee camp in Hebron.

Tuesday, 02 August 2016

In the dawn, Israeli forces moved into ‘Anbta village, east of Tulkarm. They raided and searched a house belonging to Mahmoud Mohamed Abu ‘Asal (34) and arrested him.

At approximately 01:00, Israeli forces accompanied with military vehicles moved into Sa’ir village, north of Hebron. Israeli vehicles patrolled the village streets and then stationed in al-‘Adisah area. Israeli soldiers deployed between houses, causing fear among civilians, especially children. They then raided and searched a house belonging to Mos’ab Izaat Shalaldah (30) and later withdrew. No arrests were reported.

At approximately 02:00, Israeli forces moved into al-‘Abyiat area, east of Bethlehem. They raided and searched a house belonging to Mohamed Abu Jaghlif and arrested his son, Bader (20).

At approximately 02:30, Israeli forces moved into Nahalin village, west of Bethlehem. They raided and searched a house belonging to Mohamed Najajrah and arrested his son, ‘Abed al-Haleem (22).

Around the same time, Israeli forces moved into Beit Loqiya village, southwest of Ramallah. They raided and searched a house belonging to Najeeb Ahmed Mafarjah (31), a former prisoner, and arrested him.

Around the same time, Israeli forces moved into Deir Nizam village, 20 kilo meters away from the north-western side of Ramallah. They raided and searched a house belonging to Yousef Mohamed al-Khatib and arrested him. During the incursion, clashes erupted between Palestinian young men, who threw stones at the Israeli soldiers, who fired sound bombs and tear gas canisters in response. As a result, many civilians suffered tear gas inhalation.

At approximately 04:00, Israeli forces protecting Israeli settlers while storming Joseph’s Tomb, east of Nablus , fired live bullets, rubber-coated metal bullets and tear gas canisters at Palestinian civilians, who threw stones at the Israeli soldiers. As a result, 2 civilians, including a child, were wounded with rubber-coated metal bullets, while other civilians suffered tear gas inhalation. The wounded persons were identified as Ahmed Mazen Sa’ed (17), who was hit with a rubber-coated metal bullet to the face, and Mohamed Kamal Shaheen (27), who was hit with rubber-coated metal bullets at the abdomen and thighs.

At approximately 15:00, Israeli forces stationed at the entrance to “Gush Etzion” settlement, south of Bethlehem, arrested Ayman Ali Etbish (37), from Kharsa village, south of Dura, southwest of Hebron. Ayman was arrested after heading to the Israeli Intelligence Service office upon a summons previously sent to him.

Note: During the aforementioned day, Israeli forces conducted (7) incursions in the following areas and no arrests were reported: Salfit and Kaful Hares village, north of the city; Beit Olah, Tafouh, Yatta and Dura villages in Hebron.

Wednesday, 03 August 2016

At approximately 00:00, Israeli forces moved into ‘Ain Qinia village, which around 7 kilo meters away from Ramallah, and arrested Dirar Hatim Rashid Ma’rouf (18). They withdrew at approximately 01:00, taking him to an unknown destination.

Around the same time, Israeli forces accompanied with military vehicles moved into Far’oun village, south of Tulkarm. They raided and searched a house belonging to Malek Ahmed Abdul Qadir ‘Obaid (27) and arrested his brother, Majdi (41), his sister, Maha (45), his nephew, Majed (22), and his mother, Wafiqah Dawoud Abdul Hamid ‘Obaid (60), in order to force him to surrender. It should be mentioned that Malek was not home at that time. Moreover, the Israeli soldiers beat Malek’s brother, Majed (50), so he was taken to Thabit Thabit Hospital to receive medical treatment. Israeli forces took the 4 civilians to the Israeli military Liaison (D.C.O). However, they were all released on the same day morning.

At approximately 00:30, Israeli forces accompanied with military jeeps and police cars moved into Kafur Ni’ma village, west of Ramallah. They raided and searched houses and arrested Ahmed Ali Abu Naser, a leader in Islamic Jihad Movement.

Around the same time, Israeli forces moved into Beit Rima village, northwest of Ramallah. They raided and searched a house belonging to ‘Amr Hasan al-Rimawi, after bursting the house door and damaging its content. They arrested ‘Amr and later withdrew.

At approximately 01:30, Israeli forces accompanied with military vehicles moved into the southern area of Hebron. Israeli vehicles patrolled the city streets and then stationed in the center of the village. Israeli soldiers then deployed between houses, causing fear among civilians, especially children. The Israeli forces raided and searched a house belonging to Hamza Fayyad al-Atrash (19) and arrested him.

Around the same time, Israeli forces accompanied with military vehicles moved into Kafur Thulth village, east of Qalqilyia. Israeli vehicles made their way into the village area. They raided and searched a house belonging to Zuhair Barakat ‘Odah (54), father of Mohamed al-Faqeeh’s wife. It should be noted that Mohamed al-Faqeeh was killed in an armed clash on 27 July 2016, in Hebron. Israeli soldiers attacked Zuhair ‘Odah in the house yard, so he immediately fainted. They also prevented Zuhair family from calling an ambulance and confiscated their cell phones. Furthermore, they raided and searched a house belonging to Hadeel al-Faqeeh, daughter of Mohamed al-Faqeeh, and attempted to arrest her although she is pregnant. While taking her out of the house, Hadeel fainted. As a result, the soldiers decided not to arrest her, while her grandfather, Zuhair ‘Odah, who suffers from many heath problems, was taken to Musalam Hospital in Ramallah.

At approximately 02:30, Israeli forces accompanied with military vehicles moved into Tal village, southwest of Nablus. Israeli vehicles patrolled the village streets. They raided and searched houses and arrested Abed al-Fatah “Ahmed al-Bana” Abed al-Fatah ‘Asida (24).

Around the same time, Israeli forces accompanied with military vehicles moved into Samou’a village, south of Hebron. Israeli vehicles made their way into the village streets, patrolled the area and then stationed in the center of the village. Israeli soldiers deployed between houses, causing fear among civilians, especially children. They then raided and searched a house belonging to Mohamed ‘Ataa al-Daghamin (26) and arrested him.

At approximately 03:00, Israeli forces accompanied with military vehicles moved into Beit Ummer village, north of Hebron. Israeli vehicles made their way into the village streets, patrolled the area and then stationed in the center of the village. Israeli soldiers deployed between houses causing fear among civilians, especially children. Moreover, they raided and searched a house belonging to Emad Badir Mahmoud Khalil and arrested his son, Hamza (16).

At approximately 03:30, Israeli forces accompanied with military vehicles moved into al-Yamoun village, northwest of Jenin. Israeli vehicles patrolled the village streets. They raided and searched a house belonging to Iyaad Abed al-Rahman Suliman Abu al-Rub (36) and arrested him.

At approximately 04:00, Israeli forces accompanied with military vehicles moved into al-Far’a camp, southeast of Tubas village. Israeli vehicles made their way into the village street. A number of Palestinian young men gathered and threw stones and empty bottles at Israeli soldiers, who fired live bullets and rubber-coated metal bullets at them. As a result, two civilians were wounded and then taken by a PRCS ambulance to Turkish Tubas Hospital, where medical sources classified their wounds as moderate and minor. The wounded persons were identified as:

Hamza Mousa ‘Alian (28) sustained shrapnel wounds under his left knee, and

Basam Basem Shawaish (22) was hit with a live bullet to the left thigh.

At approximately 04:00, Israeli forces accompanied with military vehicles moved into Beir Basha village, south of Jenin. Israeli vehicles patrolled the village streets. In the meantime, they raided and searched a house belonging to ‘Odai Taysir Mousa Ghawadra (19). They later withdrew and no arrests were reported.

At approximately 08:00, Israeli forces accompanied with military vehicles moved about 100 meters into the east of al-Qararah village, northeast of Khan Yunis. They patrolled the area for few hours before redeploying along the fence.

At approximately 14:00, a group of civilians and journalists gathered near “Ofer” prison, west of Ramallah, in solidarity with the prisoner, Bilal Kaid, who was arrested in the Israeli jails and is on hunger strike. Clashes erupted between the young men and Israeli soldiers, who fired sound bombs and tear gas canisters at them. No casualties were reported. Israeli forces detained the journalist, Shadi Hatem, a photographer at Raya Media Network, and released him two hours later.

At approximately 20:00, Israeli gunboats stationed off Beit Lahia, north of the Gaza Strip, chased and opened fire at Palestinian fishing boats sailing within 2 nautical miles. As a result, fishermen were forced to flee for fear of being arrested or wounded and no casualties were reported.

Around the same time, Israeli gunboats opened fire at Palestinian fishing boats sailing within 5 nautical miles off Deir al-Balah shore. As a result, fishermen were forced to flee for fear of being arrested or wounded and no casualties were reported.

Note: During the aforementioned day, Israeli forces conducted (6) incursions in the following areas and no arrests were reported: Dura, Qalqas, Yatta, Beit ‘Awaa, al-Moreq and Tarqumiya villages in Hebron